Strong defensive effort leads to first win of the season for MIT

Teams:

MIT vs Old Gold RFC

Played:

10/01/16 @ MIT

Score:

8 - 5 MIT win

On Saturday, October 1, 2016, MIT hosted Old Gold in a re-match of last season’s NERFU playoff final. The morning’s rain left a cold and damp pitch for the teams which led to a sloppy opening with multiple knock-ons and penalties. It seemed like the only offense MIT could generate in the first half was from 8-man picks from Cody and Caleb smashing and stepping his way through defenders around the breakdown. MIT’s longest play involved one of Cody’s 8 man picks where he found no one home on defense. Scrumhalf-for-a-half Simon supported him as Cody offloaded but he was tackled well short of the try line. MIT were able to get on the scoreboard before the half as Jarrad took a quick tap off a penalty in Old Gold’s territory. MIT put the ball through the hands to rookie Sam on the wing, who used his pace to get over the line for his first try with the club. Credit to the new backs coach / gimp Nick A. for working with Sam all week leading up to the match. MIT went into the half with a 5-0 lead.

After injuries to a few of their starters, and with the EMT taking off for unknown plans, MIT were stretched thin in the second half, with no subs left on the bench. As Dave M. looked for boots and a mouth guard on the sideline, the players on the field stepped up their defensive effort, as Old Gold threw everything they had at them. Flyhalf and captain James slotted a penalty kick though to give MIT an 8-0 cushion. Shortly after, Old Gold spun the ball to their winger, who was wrapped up by Sam, but offloaded to their outside center who outpaced the defenders for the try to make it 8-5. There were some close moments, but MIT were up to the challenge. Scumhalf-for-the-half Chris L. 2.0 and James combined for a try saving tackle to maintain the lead. Subs Zane and Clay put in some massive hits around the breakdown to slow down Old Gold’s number 8. Jarrad had a huge turnover as he poached the ball from a ruck as Old Gold were driving in MIT territory. Art and what’s left of his scalp was also huge in defense as MIT let slip the dogs of war and secured Zane’s dream victory.